Leona Lewis Punched By Fan In London
October 15th, 2009
Leona Lewis has been hit in the face by a fan at a London bookstore, where she was signing copies of her new autobiography, Dreams. Her rep confirmed that no medical treatment was required, but added that Lewis was “understandably badly shaken” by the incident.
On Wednesday (October 14), the 24-year-old singer had been autographing copies of her book at Waterstones bookstore for about 90 minutes.
Suddenly, “a guy came up and punched her to the side of the head,” the X Factor winner’s spokesman told the BBC.
Lewis was in tears as she fled the building, while the police were brought in to apprehend the man in question.
A police spokesman said they were called “following reports of an assault against a female”, and BBC have confirmed that the man has been arrested.
Waterstones bookstore released the following statement: “There was an incident at our Leona Lewis signing this afternoon and the event was immediately stopped. We are now doing everything we can to support the police in their enquiries.”
Waterstones added that they take security at book signings “extremely seriously” and that this was the first time something like this has happened.
“We would like to thank Leona for her professionalism and we are extremely sad that this event was ruined for her, and her fans, many of whom queued from the early hours of the morning to meet her,” they said.
Lewis pulled out of a scheduled appearance on BBC’s The One Show that night.
Her new album, Echo, is due out in November.
